Core Viewpoint - Ascentage Pharma's novel Bcl-2 selective inhibitor, lisaftoclax (APG-2575), has received conditional approval from China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for treating adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) who have previously undergone at least one systemic therapy, marking it as the first Bcl-2 inhibitor approved for this indication in China and the second globally [1][3][7] Company Overview - Ascentage Pharma is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on addressing unmet medical needs in cancer treatment, with a rich pipeline of innovative drug candidates, including inhibitors targeting key proteins in the apoptotic pathway [10][11] - The approval of lisaftoclax represents a significant milestone in the company's development efforts, following its first commercialized drug, olverembatinib [2][10] Product Details - Lisaftoclax is an orally administered small-molecule Bcl-2 selective inhibitor designed to restore normal apoptosis in cancer cells by blocking the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 [2][5] - The drug has demonstrated broad therapeutic potential in various hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, particularly in CLL/SLL, both as a monotherapy and in combination therapies [2][3] Clinical Study Insights - The approval was based on a pivotal Phase II study (APG2575CC201) that evaluated the efficacy and safety of lisaftoclax in patients with relapsed or refractory CLL/SLL, achieving a compelling overall response rate (ORR) that met the prespecified endpoint [3][4] - Lisaftoclax exhibited a favorable safety profile, with no occurrences of tumor-lysis syndrome (TLS) and manageable hematologic and non-hematologic toxicities [3][4] Market Context - CLL/SLL is a common hematologic malignancy, particularly affecting older populations, with over 100,000 new diagnoses globally each year [4] - In China, the incidence of CLL/SLL is rising, necessitating safer and more effective treatment options beyond the current primary therapies, such as BTK inhibitors, which have limitations including high relapse rates and associated toxicities [4][5][6] Future Development Plans - Ascentage Pharma is conducting four global registrational Phase III trials for lisaftoclax, including studies in combination with BTK inhibitors and in various hematologic malignancies [7][13] - The company aims to accelerate the global development of lisaftoclax to address unmet clinical needs and expand its therapeutic applications [7][13]